Trinity University Student Puts Her Heart Into Basketball

November 2010 —The Trinity Tigers women’s basketball team has a real fighter on the squad in senior forward Lauren Hickey.

Five years ago, Hickey underwent major heart surgery, to replace her defective aortic valve. As a basketball player at Boerne High School, she was not certain she would be able to continue to play the sport that has captured her passion.

But the corrective procedure was performed during her sophomore year at San Antonio’s Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, and Hickey has been going like “a house-a-fire” ever since.

“I’ve been very blessed that I’ve been able to remain active,” said Hickey, who will graduate from Trinity in May with a degree in English. “It’s always been a concern that I don’t want to be defined by my surgery or heart condition. I’m going to go as hard as I can, for as long as I can.”

Hickey does monitor herself, however, as she regularly takes blood pressure medication. Some days, during rigorous practices, she notices her blood pressure is high. In those instances, Hickey steps back, takes a deep breath, and then finishes her workout. She doesn’t quit, she just waits until her body is ready to continue.

Amie Bradley, in her sixth year as head coach of the Tigers, said Hickey exhibits maximum effort in all of the practices.

“Lauren excels in our conditioning program,” Coach Bradley said. “It’s an inspiration to have her on the team. It’s fun to see her succeed, because you know the hurdles she jumped over to get here.” To read more, click here.